Duelling Over a Grand

Duelling Over Grand is a double elimination knockout format. Two crews race head to head with the winner advancing to the next round via the "undefeated" tree". Once a crew loses a race, they go into the "second chance tree" and progress through until they either lose a second race (and are knocked out of the tournament) or win all their races and advance to the Sunday Championship Final.

The winner of the "undefeated tree" and the winner of the "second chance tree" meet in the Championship Final, held on Sunday.

The "undefeated tree" races (labelled "A") are held on Saturday; the "second chance tree" races (labelled "B") are held on Sunday.

Each crew is guaranteed 2 races and may race as many as 6 times (depending on the number of entries).

BYES: Because of the nature of the dual format tree, some crews may get a "bye" in an early round. Crews that have a bye do not row down the course for that round of racing.

NO SHOWS: if your competitor does not show up at the start line, you are awarded a win but you are required to row down the course and across the finish line at a pace that does not impede the following racers.

SCRATCHES: if your competitor scratches before you launch, you do not need to launch.

For the DOG regatta 2017 we switched to Regatta Master (RM) to better manage the regatta and races. This allows us to address the following deficiencies of the old system:

1) In the old system it was common that a crew had to race the same opponent in the 2nd chance tree that they lost to in the undefeated tree. With the new system, you will be less likely to race the same people.

2) The old system assigned the initial spots based on a "sort by club name" therefore same clubs regularly raced each other in different events. The new system uses a computer-based random algorithm to allocate crews to the initial spots in the progression tree. The new system is capable of seeding for championship events.

3) The old system did not support new boat classes.

4) The old system did not have scheduling flexibility. The new system provides this flexibility. More rest is scheduled in between progression levels of events with the greatest number of entries and before the championship finals.

In 2017 we got rid of the horrible spreadsheets (for registration and results) and transferred everything to RegattaMaster. This means results and schedules will be available on RegattaMaster and RegattaCentral AND on Twitter. Hard copies will also be posted at the regatta site.

"A" indicates a race in the undefeated tree; "B" indicates a race in the second chance tree.

For details on how the progression works, please check out the progression diagrams here

1. Entries will be capped at 18 for all events except the Open M and Open W 1x. Junior entries will be capped at 4 entries/club/event, with the rest going on waitlist.

2. Early Bird entry option: save $10/seat.

3. The RCA seat fee of $3.25/seat will be in effect (it will be automatically added to your invoice in RegattaCentral).

4. We will be using fewer safety boats (2) and will be using wakeless launches for umpire boats in an effort to minimize congestion and wake in the warmup area. Thank you to RCA for their support in providing the wakeless launches.

In 2017, the following changes were implemented and will be in effect for 2018 too.

1. DOG is now using RegattaCentral (for registration) and RegattaMaster (for results). No more spreadsheets!

2. Results will be posted on RegattaMaster and to Twitter. They will also be posted using a "graphical tree" format on site (hard copy).

3. For the premiere events (Open M and W 1x, Mixed Masters 2x) there will now be more time between the final race of the Second Chance tree and the Championship Final.

4. Draw and progression have been refined to reduce the chances of the same crews meeting again (in the second chance tree).

5. Masters Handicap (Garrett-Zezza system) has been updated. It should be ``more fair` for those U50.

Cold water Rule will be in effect: if you flip in the warmup area or during the race, you will not be allowed to continue that race and will be awarded a "loss" for that race.

Regatta Packages may be picked up from the Registration Table Friday 4-6 pm and Saturday 6-7 am. Please have only one person per club come to pick up the registration package. The package will include bow markers for all your club's entries. Bow markers must be on your boat when you come through Control Commission.

Reminders:

Byes: crews that have a "bye" do not row down the course for that round.

Row-overs: if you competitor does now show up on the start line you are required to row down the course and across the finish line at a pace that does not impede the following race.

A minimum of 4 boats is required to run an event. Crews entered in events that do not meet the 4 boat minimum will be given the opportunity to move into a different event. The regatta may replace one event with another boat class in the same age group (e.g., replace Jr C 4x+ with Jr C 2x, or Open 4+ with Open 2-) to provide more meaningful competition. Coaches will be consulted before any changes are made.

The Garrett-Zezza handicap system will be applied in all Masters events, with prizes awarded based on adjusted times.
For each race, calculate the difference between your handicap and your competitor's handicap.
NEWSFLASH! The tables have been updated for 2017.

The course will be open for training for one hour after the last scheduled race on Saturday or until posted sunset, whichever is earlier. The course is not open for training before racing on Saturday or Sunday.

The course is not officially open for training on Friday. Visiting crews who wish to train on Friday are asked to contact the VCRC Club Manager (clubadmin@vcrc.bc.ca).

Driving an umpire or safety boat is one of the best ways to watch racing - and we always needs drivers! Safety Co-ordinators Rob Carnduff and Gregor MacIntosh are happy to provide one-on-one training any weekday evening or weekend. Learn how to operate and maneuver a boat and perform rescues.

VCRC is creating training opportunities for high performance/elite rowers training towards National Team selection and racing in international regattas. Please contact Isolda Penney (vcrcadults@gmail.com) for more information.